Music Films: Documentaries, Concert Films and Other Cinematic Representations of Popular in Bloomington, MN

In
Music Films
, Neil Fox considers a broad range of music documentaries, delving into their cinematic style, political undertones, racial dynamics, and gender representations, in order to assess their role in the cultivation of myth.
Combining historical and critical analyses, and drawing on film and music criticism, Fox examines renowned music films such as
A Hard Day's Night
(1964),
Dig!
(2004), and
Amazing Grace
(2006), critically lauded works like
Milford Graves Full Mantis
(2018) and
Mistaken for Strangers
(2013), and lesser-studied films including
Jazz on a Summer's Day
(1959) and
Ornette: Made in America
(1985). In doing so, he offers a comprehensive overview of the genre, situating these films within their wider cultural contexts and highlighting their formal and thematic innovations.
Discussions in the book span topics from concert filmmaking to music production, the music industry, touring, and filmic representations of authenticity and truth. Overall,
traces the evolution of the genre, highlighting its cultural significance and connection to broader societal phenomena.